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U Matters

"Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now." Praise God for Billy Graham, who God changed and used so powerfully!
 
Wednesday, 21 February marked the end of the 45 day “Dear Lord, Change Me and use me” Challenge. Please email if you would like to share how God spoke to you as you prayed.  In my case there was a very clear convergence of family, friends, and frenemies who the Lord used to nudge me into more Christlike attitudes and actions in one area of my life.  In some ways I echo the line from a wonderful hymn:   “I once was blind but now I see.”  It is amazing how prayer sharpens our vision and helps us to see ourselves as God and others see us.
 
The offer still holds.  If you don’t think the Lord spoke to you, changed you, or used you after you prayed for 45 days, there is HK$500 waiting for you.  Just email me.
 
Thank you all for your prayers. We urge you to continue to pray this prayer until 10 March, the date of Union’s AGM. The second line of the challenge prayer, “Change and use Union Church" is a dangerous and wonderful request.  May we be open and willing to respond to the way our Lord answers that prayer.

Gratefully
Pastor Greg
 

This Week

Sunday School Resume
Our regular Sunday School resumes this Sunday, 25 February at both the 9:45AM and 11:15AM. We are still on alert for the flu outbreak and therefore, we will continue to carry out with our strict hygiene procedure of temperature check and hand disinfectant sprays for all before entering the classroom. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Young Adults Lunch on Sunday, 25 February
All Young Adults (18-35 years old) are invited to join Jess and Anto Ficatier this Sunday (25 February) for lunch. We gather at 12:30PM in the lobby of Sunlight Tower and will go to La Cucina Italiana, in QRE (food not provided this time, orders will be made individually).
Contact: Anto Ficatier

2017 Annual Report and Church Financials are available, pick up a copy at the Welcome Table this Sunday!Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting

Notice of AGM
Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, 10 March 2018. The meeting will be at 7:00PM. Please come join us as we celebrate together, and give glory to God. Non-members are welcome to attend. Please bring a dessert to share after the meeting. The sign-up sheet will be available at the Welcome Table.

Nominations Announcement
Nominations for 2018 Committee of Management (CoM) are now open to the church. Members of 6 months and above, over 18 years of age and in good standing, who wish to nominate a candidate for the 2018 CoM, please fill in a nominations form available on the Welcome Table or from the church office and submit to the office, attention the Honorary Secretary. Nominations must be seconded by another voting member and have the agreement of the nominee. The candidate will also need to be over 18 years old, a member of more than 6 months and in good standing.

Nomination for CoM members will be closed on Sunday 25th of February 2018.

Lent at Union

Luke for Lent
If you are reading Luke with us this Lent, and would like weekly email encouragement as you go, sign up here. It's not too late to start, either--
Pick up a bookmark with the reading plan or find it here.

  • 12:30PM Sundays a group is meeting to discuss what we are reading over lunch. RSVP to Monte Peterson.
  • Series on Jesus’ parables at Wednesday night ReCharge, 7:15PM.

Any questions? Contact Monte Peterson.

BLESS THE CITY, Saturday, 21 April
The Gospel of Luke shows us a Saviour who consistently cared for and ministered to those on the margins of society--the poor, the oppressed, the sick and the lonely. Our Lenten journey leads us not only to the cross and resurrection but also to God's promise of a new kingdom. Let's join God in that work of loving all of God's creation as we BLESS THE CITY, on Saturday, 21 April. More details forthcoming, but for now, Save the Date!  

Opportunities

Special Taize worship service, Sunday, 11 March, 5:15PM, led by brothers from the Taize community in France. They are in Hong Kong in preparation for a young adult gathering from 8-12 August, 2018, and we are blessed to have this opportunity to worship with them. Taize is an ecumenical Christian monastic community in France with a strong devotion to reconciliation and peace. They are known for their contemplative, quiet style of worship and prayer which involves simple, repetitive songs, which become a way of listening to God. Worship will be followed by a fellowship dinner with the brothers. RSVP here for the dinner. 
 
Pastoral Care Team: Interested in being a part of the Pastoral Care Team for Union Church? Pastor Michele would love to hear from you. If interested, please note that this will be a commitment to specific training in the area of pastoral care.
 
5-week Lunch Study Class
Discipleship Explored- the book of Philippines - please consider this lunch time study Tuesdays 1:00PM-2:00PM at Sunlight tower with Pastor Michele - please sign up at the Welcome Table or contact Pastor Michele. Starting Tuesday, 27 February.
 
Celebrate International Women’s Day with a service lead by HK Women’s Clergy. Tune in on Sunday, 4 March at 11:05AM, RADIO 4 or listen to the archives.
 
Prayer for Union Come lift up the needs of Union Church. Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30AM for a time of prayer in the sanctuary.

Serve

If you are looking for a place to serve at Union Church Pastor Michele would love to chat!
With growing services, especially at 11:15AM service, we have 4 locations operational at the same time, we could really use your help in the usher greeter team.
Options:
Main sanctuary (4 people needed each Sunday; welcoming, actively seating; offering);
Door (this is a meet and greet -traffic control -directing people -children, bathrooms, services etc)
Foyer (front line of Union Church -welcoming, directing people to Hotel Indigo when the 18/F is full)
If you can help once a month it would be greatly appreciated. 

Baptism/Membership

Baptism Classes for Easter Baptism
Interested in being baptized? Please join Pastor Michele on Tuesdays, 6, 13, 20 March, 7:30PM-9:00PM for classes. Contact Pastor Michele or sign up at the Welcome Table.

Membership
There is no better time than NOW to become a member at Union Church. If interested in membership, please see or contact Pastor Michele or Pastor Greg for details. 

Small Group

It's ALWAYS a good time to join a small group, but right now new groups are forming for our Lenten study, so if you've ever wanted to "try out" a small group without a long-term commitment, here's your opportunity!

And if a traditional small group is hard for your schedule to manage, try our new ONLINE small group. Using an online learning platform (moodle), you will have the chance to discuss the week's readings with other Union folk and pray together throughout the course of the week, whenever it fits your schedule.

Questions? Contact Monte Peterson or sign up here.

Young Adults

Lunch on Sunday, 25 Feburary
All Young Adults (18-35 years old) are invited to join Jess and Anto Ficatier next Sunday (25 February) for lunch. We gather at 12:30PM in the lobby of Sunlight Tower and will go to La Cucina Italiana, in QRE (food not provided this time, orders will be made individually).
Contact: Anto Ficatier

Youth

Friday Youth Group, 23 February – Games Night
Youth of all ages (11-18) are invited to come to Youth Group at Sunlight Tower this Friday from 6:00PM to 9:00PM for a fun-filled game night! (with an optional hangout till 10:00PM for Seniors)
Dinner will be a Potluck style and families are invited to bring a dish (salad, meat, side dish, cakes etc).

Sunday Youth Group, 25 February
Youth of all ages (11-17) are welcome to join us from 9:45AM to 10:45AM in Pastor Greg’s Office every Sunday. We will be following the curriculum “The Story of Jesus” this semester, and this week’s theme is “Jesus the Son of God”.
 
Youth Mission Trip to Cambodia – April 2018
Date: 9-13 April
What: Union Church is organizing a Youth Mission Trip in Cambodia in partnership with FCOP International. We will help a building project outside of Phnom Penh (FCOPI will give us more information 1 month before the trip). The trip is family-friendly. All church members are welcome to join the youth to make a difference to the local community.
Cost: $3000 HKD (excluding flights)
Registration:
Go to www.unionchurchhk.org/news-events and apply using the online registration form. Do not book your flights until the trip is officially “on” (we need 10 participants minimum)
Deadline: Please apply before 11 March
Contact: Anto Ficatier

Youth activities
Are you a youth and want to be involved in our youth group? There are many ways you can be involved: Youth Group (Friday, Sunday), Youth Band, Christian Clubs, Confirmation etc.

Questions? Email YOUTH
 

Kingdom Kids

Sunday School 2017/2018 Registration
In order to receive updates regarding Children's Ministry program, latest classroom arrangement and for the safety of all children attending our Sunday School and Crèche Program, we asked that parents please register their children by filling in and signing the Registration Form available on our church website and also at the Welcome Table. Register HERE and for more information, please visit www.unionchurchhk.org or contact us at CHILDREN or 2101 0414. Thank you.

Outreach

Prison Ministry: Are you interested in being a part of a team to go to Tai Lam Correctional Institution on Dragon Boat Festival public holiday, Monday, 18 June? It will be a great opportunity! We would meet a few times (Sunday after church) to plan. Deadline approaching, so if you are interested, please contact Melody Landes or Pastor Michele. 

FCOPI Lai See packets for Chinese New Year - Thank you
The Missions Committee has raised $31,900 for FCOPI through the sale of Lai See envelopes. Thank you again for your generosity.

Last Sunday's Sermon

"Betraying Jesus" by Pastor Greg Anderson

This Wednesday's ReCharge Sermon

"New Wineskins" by Anto Ficatier